Eliza Dushku Speaks Out About The Joss Whedon Allegations
Eliza Dushku has added her voice to those alleging abuse by Joss Whedon.
This article is more than 2 years old
The abuse allegations against Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon are beginning to pile up. Actor Ray Fisher has been saying the guy is bad news for months now, but until this week, he has essentially been fighting Whedon and Warner Bros. alone. Now, though, he has support from people who have worked with the director in the past and are just now coming forth with accounts of their own Whedon-related traumas, including former Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Eliza Dushku.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Eliza Dushku took to Instagram to show her support for co-star Charisma Carpenter, the actress who recently shared her experience with Joss Whedon’s alleged abuse. You can check out the original post below:
This comes months after DC Extended Universe actor Ray Fisher came forth with serious allegations against Joss Whedon, accusing him of misconduct during the rocky production of 2017’s Justice League. Fisher also named DC stalwart Geoff Johns and DC president Walter Hamada as two problematic individuals. These are damning allegations, and it will be interesting to see how Whedon responds (if he issues a public statement at all).
Eliza Dushku has also worked extensively with Joss Whedon and his Mutant Enemy production company. She captivated audiences as Faith Lehane for 20 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and subsequently for six in its spin-off, Angel. She also appeared in Whedon’s short-lived series Dollhouse. Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, has also distanced herself from the popular director, saying she is “proud” of her co-stars for bravely disclosing what happened to them on set.
In addition to Whedon’s work on Buffy, fans also know him for his work on the first two Avengers films, his tenure as a comic writer, and the beloved (but ill-fated) sci-fi western TV series Firefly. But after this, it is unclear if Whedon will have a career at all. Eliza Dushku’s support for Charisma Carpenter, coupled with the mounting allegations, certainly doesn’t paint Whedon in a positive light, and as Hollywood slowly begins to hold creators accountable, hopefully the right conclusion is reached and appropriate steps are taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
As many have pointed out, though, these allegations of Whedon’s abusive and unprofessional behavior are not new. His ex-wife, Kai Cole, maintains that Whedon cheated on her multiple times. The two divorced several years ago, and Cole didn’t come forth with her accusations until 2017. Clearly, this stuff is very painful to discuss, so it is important to give these people the space and time they need so that they can heal and move forward with a well-deserved sense of safety and peace.
It will be interesting to see who comes forward next. Joss Whedon has been in Hollywood for decades, and his many fans are undoubtedly grappling with the very real possibility that he is not who his art indicates he is. It is a shame, but it is so very brave of these people to step up and speak out.
For a clearer idea of how this has all shaken out, take a look at this helpful timeline of the allegations leveled against Joss Whedon.
